Electronic device capable of displaying an instruction manual

Abstract

An electronic device such as a digital still camera enables display of an instruction manual and providing explanations of a variety of functions and operations to the user. Specifically, the electronic device has a storage unit that stores instruction manual data and a display control unit that reads instruction manual electronic data from the storage means and displays the instruction manual on a display device. Further, the electronic device has an editor that is capable of editing the instruction manual displayed on the display device and a control member for operating the display control unit and the editor, making it possible to edit the instruction manual electronic data according to the way each user uses the camera, their level of skill and experience, in order to make the instruction manual easier to use.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device comprising storage device that stores instruction manual data, a method of editing the instruction manual image using the electronic device, and a computer program therefor. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In general, an instruction manual for using an electronic device or the like is usually provided as printed material separate from the device itself or its accessories. [0003] Recently, however, with the spread of personal computers (PCs), it is becoming more common to distribute material in an ordinary electronic file format such as PDF (Portable Data Format). At present, it is not uncommon for the instruction manual for the electronic device to be provided in just such an electronic file format, in other words, as an electronic instruction manual. However, such an electronic file is ultimately intended for use on a PC. [0004] As a result, an electronic instruction manual is not so convenient f...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] The present invention is conceived in light of the problems of the conventional art described above, and has as its object to provide an electronic device that is capable of providing the user with more complete information on the basic operations and capabilities of the electronic device even without constantly carrying around the instruction manual with the device.

[0016] With the above-described construction, the electronic device of the present invention makes it possible to provide the user with more complete information on the basic operations and capabilities of the electronic device even without constantly carrying around the instruction manual with the device.

Problems solved by technology

As a result, an electronic instruction manual is not so convenient for use with devices other than PCs except for its space-saving nature in case where the printed manual is too bulky to carry or the manual is to be retained.

As a result, considering the portability of the device and the frequency with which it is used, most users do not usually carry the printed instruction manual with them.

At the same time, electronic devices have become more complicated and more powerful, and it is not easy to remember perfectly all the functions and how they are used.

Therefore, without the instruction manual, not only is it not possible to use the device to its fullest potential, but in some cases it is even possible that the device itself might be damaged.

However, that which is stored as electronic data is limited to functions that can be added to the camera control program later.

In short, the capabilities and explanations thus disclosed are insufficient to convey such information as basic operation and settings, operations and settings not linked to the control members, troubleshooting, and the knowledge and skill to use a camera in a wide range of circumstances.

Similarly, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-87628, the instruction manual capable of being displayed on the camera is limited to functions which can be added later to the camera control program, and as a result, the capabilities and explanations thus disclosed are insufficient to convey such information as basic operation and settings, operations and settings not linked to the control members, troubleshooting, and the knowledge and skill to use a camera in a wide range of circumstances.

Furthermore, conventionally, there has been no proposal to provide the capacity to allow the user himself to use the electronic device and edit and customize the instruction manual in light of that experience of use.

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